Welcome to Charming, where swirling petticoats, the language of flowers, and old-fashioned duels are only the beginning of what is lying underneath…
After a magical attempt on her life in 1877, Queen Victoria launched a crusade against magic that, while tidied up by the Ministry of Magic, saw the Wizarding community exiled to Hogsmeade, previously little more than a crossroad near the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the years that have passed since, Hogsmeade has suffered plagues, fires, and Victorian hypocrisy but is still standing firm.
Thethe year is now 1895. It’s time to join us and immerse yourself in scandal and drama interlaced with magic both light and dark.
Complete a thread started and set every month for twelve consecutive months. Each thread must have at least ten posts, and at least three must be your own.
Did You Know?
Did you know? Jewelry of jet was the haute jewelry of the Victorian era. — Fallin
When I first saw your advertisement in the newest issue of Witch Weekly, I was immediately intrigued. I am a man of the upper class, hailing from a respectable family, thoroughly educated in history and the arts and of a good reputation. I am pure-blooded, however I do not support the idea of any one type of blood heritage being superior to any others. I have, as of yet, never been married or in any romantic relationship, and thus do not have any children. I am employed at a reputable institution in London and earn good money, which enables me to live a lifestyle I have no doubt would be of comfort to you aswell.
If you are still single and open to the idea of meeting a potential companion, please let me know at your earliest convenience.
With the best intentions and regards,
A Man of Culture
Witch Weekly is pleased to inform you that your recent submission to our Lonely Hearts article has generated a response. Witch Weekly is devoted to providing help to all of our readers, no matter what their social disadvantages, and we are delighted to provide this service to the lovelorn in our magical community. We hope that you will be able to create a happy ending with our help, instead of being doomed to a tragically lonely life.
Please see the enclosed letter and advise us whether you will need your advertisement repeated in further issues of our magazine.
After some investigation on my part, it appears that I am the victim, if that term is apt in this circumstance, of a well-intentioned prank of sorts. At the risk of disappointing you immensely, sir, it was not myself that placed an advertisement in Witch Weekly but instead someone acting on my behalf.
Having since read the advertisement in question, though it is not in my nature to place such a thing, I must acknowledge that I see no errors in it. Therefore, I cannot help but be flattered that you have elected to respond.
Though you do seem (on paper, in the most literal sense of the expression!) to be a fine gentleman, you will pardon me for my prudence in declining to meet a stranger. A young lady from a good family must be wary of strangers when they are encountered through unconventional avenues. Note, sir, that my refusal is not absolute, merely for the moment.
Perhaps more details would guide me to be more forthcoming?
It would be a lie if I told you the fact you weren't the one submitting the advertisement in question had left me as confident as I was when originally responding to it. However, since you were so honest as to tell me the truth, I shall try and be just as honest with you. If the advertisement truly captures your wishes in a companion, my desire to get to know and meet you has remained unchanged. In fact, I am even more intrigued in meeting you now. After all, you must be quite worthy of admiration if someone else submitted an advertisement on your behalf.
I, of course, understand your carefulness in not agreeing to meet with me right away. I am afraid, though, that I cannot divulge too much information without fear that you may afterwards want to meet with me simply to better your own image or status. Please, do not misunderstand this as me perceiving you as a woman of ill repute. You must understand that I must display the same carefulness you are approaching me with. I think it is only fair that we stand on equal terms, given the situation.
I come from a family with a strong reputation and equally strong ties to both the wizarding and muggle societies of Britain. My family has upheld it's reputation and connections for generations. I graduated from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where I was placed into the house of Ravenclaw, in 1874. This, of course, gives you an idea of how old I might be, and I am quite ashamed to admit that I, at my age, as I have mentioned in my first letter, have never been in any sort of romantic involvement with anybody.
I would prefer to refrain from telling you too much about my occupation at this point, but I can tell you that my line of work focuses on the history of wizardkind and it's status throughout history. The enclosed pamphlet might give you a bit more of an idea as to what I mean by that.
While I do love my line of work and have enjoyed it thoroughly ever since I became part of it shortly after graudation, I do enjoy a range of other things, too. I try to always be fashionable and look my best. I also enjoy traveling and harbor a great love for music. In my opinion, music allows us to express our emotions in a way that words never will. I also enjoy literature and like to go and see the odd Quidditch match here or there.
Might you tell me a bit more about yourself aswell? I look forward to getting to know you better.
Sincerely,
A.
~enclosed is a pamphlet advertising an exhibition at the Museum of Magical Miscellany~
Prudence is both an admirable and a necessary trait in our society; I can hardly begrudge you showing the restraint and care I myself profess to possess. I do not at all take it as a slight against my character that you should wish to protect yourself, just as I seek to protect myself in turn.
My own house, whilst at Hogwarts, was Slytherin. This, I think, says a great deal about my personality and goals, though I do not wish you to think I do not value an education. Shortly after my time there, I did also master my animagus form and I have long had an affinity for transfiguration in general. In addition to this, I hold a fondness for languages, though am not so well-versed in foreign tongues as I would like.
Though I lost my mother in my youth, I have two elder sisters who I love dearly and who I observe as exemplars after which to model myself and my actions.
I have never fancied myself much of a detective, but from your enclosure I am forced to wonder if you are tied to the museum in some fashion. Perhaps I ought pay it a visit in the near future.
While the hosue of Slytherin is certainly not spoken about very favourably (though I myself am not really one to believe house clichés), I must say I have always admired the resourcefulness, cunning and ambition of Slytherins. I must also say I am not quite as adept at practical magic as yourself - well, at least I would assume attaining the ability of transforming oneself into an animal completely would require immense proficiency in the use of magic - but I find your dedication to the art of transfiguration highly commendable.
At the risk of being too forward; perhaps you would like to go and see one of the museum's exhibitions with me sometime? I hear they have some quite interesting artifacts, and the atmosphere would certainly be much more relaxed than at a café or a restaurant.
I have thought a great deal upon your suggestion, and have concluded that I am certainly open to giving it consideration—though I feel I should be more comfortable if attending an exhibit with my elder sister and happening to make your acquaintance in that matter. Pray tell, what in particular did you have in mind?
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